The Best Overall Books for Kids
List Rules
Books for kids ages 4-9
The best overall books for children, ranked by readers of all ages. Anyone can vote on this kids' book list, which makes these rankings a trustworthy way to find out which books your kids will love. Is a title missing? You can also add your own books to this list, and see how your taste stacks up against everyone else's. No matter if your kids are 9 year old budding lit experts, 5 year-olds just beginning to read on their own, or pre-schoolers still having you read aloud -- these are the books you remember and hope your own kids will.
For children in pre-school or younger, check out this list of the best books for toddlers or the best new children's books.
Ranked by
- Dr. Seuss
- First Published: 1960
- Genres (Book): Children's literature
- Original Language: English Language
Green Eggs and Ham is a best-selling and critically acclaimed children's book by Dr. Seuss, first published on August 12, 1960. As of 2001, according to Publishers Weekly, it was the fourth ...more - Dr. Seuss
- First Published: 1957-12-22
- Subjects: Cat, Anthropomorphism
- Genres (Book): Picture book, Children's literature
- Original Language: English Language
The Cat in the Hat is a children's book written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss and first published in 1957. The story centers on a tall anthropomorphic cat, who wears ...more - Dr. Seuss
- First Published: 1957-11-24
- Genres (Book): Children's literature
- Original Language: English Language
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children's story by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. It follows the Grinch, a grouchy, solitary creature who ...more - Roald Dahl
- First Published: 1964
- Subjects: Chocolate, Classics, Adventure, Family, Folklore
- Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Children's literature, Fiction, Fantasy
- Original Language: Welsh Language, English Language
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric ...more - Maurice Sendak
- First Published: 1963
- Subjects: Education, Games, Classics, Adventure, Children's film
- Genres (Book): Speculative fiction, Picture book, Children's literature, Fiction, Fantasy
- Original Language: English Language
Where the Wild Things Are is a 1963 children's picture book by American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, originally published by Harper & Row. The book has been adapted into other media several ...more - Dr. Seuss
- First Published: 1960
- Genres (Book): Children's literature
- Original Language: English Language
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish is a 1960 children's book by Dr. Seuss. It is a simple rhyming book for beginning readers, with a freewheeling plot about a boy and a girl and the many amazing ...more